Winter Projects - What's on your list?

D

dbsea

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
1,063
Fluid Motion Model
R-23 (Outboard)
Vessel Name
HALCYON
MMSI Number
368365270
What projects do folks have planned for the winter / off-season? I went pretty hardcore with projects in the first year of the boat, so I don't have all that much but here's my list:

must do:
-replace shower hardware (mixer is failing) with higher quality Grohe hardware
-clean shower sump box
-flush / clean holding tank
-flush / clean freshwater tank
-clean salon upholstery
-install engine compartment remote temp sensor
-tweak Bimini frame to get better rigidity on 3/4 enclosure
-sewing repairs on canvas for side / aft cockpit seats
-clean/polish/remove scratches on 3/4 enclosure
-routine connector/bolt/screw tightness check

might do:
-add additional solar on bimini to complement 200w existing panel (3 145w panels and charge controller upgrade)
-add indoor AP to Peplink system for better inside coverage
-replace forward bilge thru-hull (chrome trim piece went missing)
-webasto remote temp sensor in salon
-webasto digital control for heater

I'm sure there are other things that will come up along the way...
 
Looks like a great list!

Regarding your engine compartment temp sensor item; a couple of years ago, I purchased a Bluetooth temperature/humidity sensor made by Sensor Push for $70.00 on Amazon. I have Velcro locations in my engine compartment and both adjacent lazarettes where inverter/charger and batteries are located so that I can move the sensor around. I also move the sensor inside the cabin during winter to keep track of how my heater and dehumidifier are set up.

The Sensor Push app on my phone can now give me instantaneous data when I'm on the boat, as well as historical trend information for days/weeks/months in the past. I find this to be a very useful tool on my boat.
 
SkookumR29":152qb6qx said:
Looks like a great list!

Regarding your engine compartment temp sensor item; a couple of years ago, I purchased a Bluetooth temperature/humidity sensor made by Sensor Push for $70.00 on Amazon. I have Velcro locations in my engine compartment and both adjacent lazarettes where inverter/charger and batteries are located so that I can move the sensor around. I also move the sensor inside the cabin during winter to keep track of how my heater and dehumidifier are set up.

The Sensor Push app on my phone can now give me instantaneous data when I'm on the boat, as well as historical trend information for days/weeks/months in the past. I find this to be a very useful tool on my boat.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jerry! The sensor push brand looked very robust, but I wanted remote/wifi connectivity as well and the sensor push brand requires an extra fairly large piece of wifi-bridge hardware for that. I went with a different brand, and we'll see how it works... I more just want confirmation that my bilge heater is working when it's very cold...
 
Re temperature tags:
I use Ruuvi temp/hygro/acceleration/pressure tabs with the (tiny) Ruuvi bluetooth bridge to onboard WiFi router. Very impressed with accuracy/reliability & local/remote access including history. Integrable with Victron GX. Indoor & outdoor versions; "pro" tags are immersible. For those intending realtime use only, quick access via local iPhone bluetooth. Incredible.

/tmm
 
I have a sensor push in my refrigerator. Love that thing. Works very well. I should add one to my engine compartment over the winter. Where and how do you mount it? I don't want it coming loose.

-martin610
 
interesting. I did note that the push sensors only go to 140F/60deg c but the Ruuvi rugged goes to 85 deg C. for the engine bay it might be prudent to go ruuvi as a result.
 
Dave B:

I'd be interested in hearing specifically what you do about adding solar capacity. I'm considering doing the same for my RT29S.

Dave K.
 
"Dave B:
I'd be interested in hearing specifically what you do about adding solar capacity. I'm considering doing the same for my RT29S.
Dave K."

Dave: We did a solar upgrade on our R29 this year. The factory panel was replaced with a 430Watt MonoCrystaline unit and the PWM controller was replaced with a Victron 100/30 MPPT controller. The panel sits on the original location on the forward part of the roof rack, and we have room for the Takacat dinghy behind it, and 2 10ft kayaks, one on each side.
This was part of a Lithium battery upgrade and inverter/charger upgrade.
The basics of what I did was:
-new 430W solar panel and Victron MPPT controller feeding house bank
-switched batteries out for four 100Ah Dakota Lithiums for house
-new AGMs for start and thrusters
-Victron 3000 inverter/charger, moved to new location near batteries
-all cables upgraded to 4/0 with equal lengths between batteries
-Victron BMV battery monitor installed
-alternator feeds start and thruster batteries with ACR. House ACR removed.
-alt/start battery feeds house through Victron Orion DC-DC charger (lithium profile)
-on shore power the Victron 3000 charger feeds house bank, with secondary trickle output feeding start/ thrust batteries
Lots of work and not cheap, but we spent a month on the boat in the Broughtons with no generator and no plug-ins; so we are very happy with it.
 
H28":3k5wqr92 said:
Dave B:

I'd be interested in hearing specifically what you do about adding solar capacity. I'm considering doing the same for my RT29S.

Dave K.
Click to expand...

Lots of thinking to do. I already upgraded my panel to a 200w panel and Victron mppt controller this summer. I’d like to add additional capacity on the Bimini top because I have the bridge. Bimini compatible panels are not necessarily the best match for the one rigid panel I have without costing some efficiency if I try to parallel it all to the same controller. Alternatively, I can add a controller which I might do. Of course space is always a problem and I don’t want to run a lot of wires either. 🙂
 
Thanks. I've been struggling with the same things. Upgrade the entire system or just add some panels with a separate controller and "plug them in" as needed. I don't have a technical background, so I'd probably hire out the upgrade.
 
H28":1pxvnlug said:
Thanks. I've been struggling with the same things. Upgrade the entire system or just add some panels with a separate controller and "plug them in" as needed. I don't have a technical background, so I'd probably hire out the upgrade.
Click to expand...

If you’re just swapping parts you can absolutely DIY in a few hours. If you’re redoing the system with more capacity / controllers I’d recommend getting help.
 
It’s going to be a really, really busy winter and early spring!

Priority project list:
Upgrade solar system from 140 watt PWM to 335 watt MPPT system
Replace interior hatch screens
Upgrade anchor
Repair Bimini zippers and replace bent support railing
New v-berth topper bought and installed
Start 200 hour engine maintenance
Buy new carpet runner for cabin
Figure out how to lower/raise radar mast with Bimini in place with sports rack completely full (big solar panel & cargo box)
Buy and install rail mounted propane grill and figure out how to do that and keep cockpit enclosure panels safely out of the way of the grill
Replace dented refrigerator door panel
Install SmartPlug
Replace at least one of the two 5 pound propane tanks
Buy new dinghy and install davits with stand-off rods
Replace engine and thruster batteries
Buy additional Bimini screen enclosure side panels
Complete cleaning of stainless stains on exterior of boat
Deep cleaning of fabric covering cockpit seats

Lower priority (or next year) projects:
Remove wine cooler and install roll out drawers in that space
Upgrade stereo speakers in cockpit
Install roll our drawers in galley cabinets
Replace two house batteries
Ceramic coating on dark blue hull(?)
Replace all six trailer tires
Install black water tank level monitor
Install Victron Energy BMV 712 battery monitor with shunt
 
Additional projects:
-I added cross bars to the top of my Rt29S to accomodate two roof top cargo boxes for our Great Loop Trip next year.
-added danforth-style anchor as backup/stern
-added 300 ft spool of line for stern tie up

-sold my hard shell dinghy/suzuki 2.5hp (so I have a full set of weaver davits for hard shell dinghy and transom mounts for sale) and will replace with a Takacat dinghy/electric o/b.

-research indicates that I ought to be able to add approx 130w of solar panel capacity to existing controller (assumes stock panel is 160W).
-replace shower pump float switch
-Add Starlink RV system (last year I did I added weboost cell phone booster)
-anode change from magnesium (fresh water) to aluminum (fresh/salt)
-add storage boxes sized for every nook and cranny (my wife thinks I'm nuts, but I want a full set of spare parts and then some)
-
 
dbsea":3ngo7mu1 said:
I’d like to add additional capacity on the Bimini top because I have the bridge. Bimini compatible panels are not necessarily the best match for the one rigid panel I have without costing some efficiency if I try to parallel it all to the same controller. Alternatively, I can add a controller which I might do. Of course space is always a problem and I don’t want to run a lot of wires either. 🙂
Click to expand...

I added a frame on top of my bimini (R-23) to put a rigid solar panel on. Posted pictures on Facebook Tugnuts site.
 
Good time to check on what upgrades everyone completed this winter.

For my 2020 R-23

Sionyx Nightwave Camera installed on mast
Garmin GT36 transducer for ClearVu and SideVu
Replaced Start and Thruster Batteries - Optima Blue Top D31M
Autobahn i3 Ceramic 56 window tint on all windows (awesome heat reduction and UV protectant)
Solar upgarde to 2 x 200W
Fisher custom winter storage cover - weathermax fabric
Trim Tab anodes

Hope everyone has a great boating season!!!

-Craig
 
I did a bunch of small upgrades this off-season.

Internet- Installed Starlink powered via 12volt DC and using the Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5g router.

VHF Radio - Added a RAM4 (remote mic/speaker) to the VHF Radio.
(This also put a VHF speaker/mic in the passageway, so LaZina can easily use the VHF radio now.)

Stereo - Upgraded to a Fusion Apollo 770 radio.
Added a 140watt amp to create 3 zones (Cockpit, Cabin and V-berth)

Mast - Added guy wires to stabilize the mast.
(I've added a LTE antenna, XM antenna and GXM54 weather antenna to my mast = extra weight).

TV - Added a 12volt sound bar for better sound quality.
Webasto Heater - Switched to Kerosene. Added bluetooth controller.
Water Heater - Added a temperature probe to tell how hot the water heater is.
Tools - Added an IP68 (waterproof) large toolbox to the boat.
Spare Prop - Added a spare-propeller holder to the boat.
Hatch latches - Upgraded the cockpit lazarette's to locking latches.
Bottom Paint - Redid bottom paint on the boat.
Yamaha - 500 hour engine maintenance performed.
Chartplotter - Upgraded charts to include SE Alaska.

Not on my boat... But I did these upgrades as well on a 2022 RT27-OB.
* 320ah LFP Upgrade - Converted from AGM to LiFePo4.
* 400 watt solar upgrade - Upgraded from 160 watt to 400 watts of solar. (2x200 watts)
* Webasto bluetooth controller upgrade.
* Smartplug upgrade for shorepower plug and cable.
 
scross said:
It’s going to be a really, really busy winter and early spring!

Priority project list:
DONE Upgrade solar system from 140 watt PWM to 335 watt VE MPPT system
DONE Replace interior hatch screens & bug screen for cabin entrance
DONE Upgrade anchor and bow roller
DONE Replaced Scotty down rigger electric plugs with cigarette style plugs to power portable freezer in cockpit
DONE Buy and install Yakima cargo box on sports rack
DONE Upgrade trim tabs to 18”
DONE Upgrade all four stereo speakers
DONE Repair Bimini zippers and replace bent support railing
DONE New v-berth topper and cover bought and installed
DONE New custom sheet set fabricated
DONE Replace recalled Kidde fire extinguishers and install two additional CO + smoke alarms
DONE Replace air filter, CCV filter and Webasco fuel filter
SCHEDULED Start 200 hour engine maintenance
DONE Replace running and anchor bulbs with LED
DONE Buy new carpeting for cabin and cockpit
DONE Figure out how to lower/raise radar mast with Bimini in place with sports rack completely full (big solar panel & cargo box)
DONE Replace dented refrigerator door panel
DONE Install SmartPlug
DONE Program Garmin VHF radio with MMSI number
DONE Install Weaver winch for dinghy in cockpit
DONE Remove old boat name and install new name on both sides and name with hailing port on transom
DONE Install USCG Documentation number in bilge area and epoxy over numbers
DONE Replace Sequoia table leg and mounting brackets in cockpit
DONE Replace at least one of the two 5 pound propane tanks
DONE Buy new dinghy and install davits with stand-off rods
DONE Buy dinghy outboard & install rail mount
DONE Replace 2 house plus engine and thruster batteries
DONE Buy additional Bimini screen enclosure side panels
Install rail mounted propane grill and figure out how to do that and keep cockpit enclosure panels safely out of the way of the grill
Complete cleaning of stainless stains on exterior of boat
Deep cleaning of fabric covering cockpit seats

Lower priority (or next year) projects:
Remove wine cooler and install roll out drawers in that space
Install roll our drawers in galley cabinets
Ceramic coating on dark blue hull(?)
Replace all six trailer tires
Install black water tank level monitor
Install Victron Energy BMV 712 battery monitor with shunt
Click to expand...
 
Submariner":uhoe1zan said:
I did a bunch of small upgrades this off-season.

Internet- Installed Starlink powered via 12volt DC and using the Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5g router.

VHF Radio - Added a RAM4 (remote mic/speaker) to the VHF Radio.
(This also put a VHF speaker/mic in the passageway, so LaZina can easily use the VHF radio now.)

Stereo - Upgraded to a Fusion Apollo 770 radio.
Added a 140watt amp to create 3 zones (Cockpit, Cabin and V-berth)

Mast - Added guy wires to stabilize the mast.
(I've added a LTE antenna, XM antenna and GXM54 weather antenna to my mast = extra weight).

TV - Added a 12volt sound bar for better sound quality.
Webasto Heater - Switched to Kerosene. Added bluetooth controller.
Water Heater - Added a temperature probe to tell how hot the water heater is.
Tools - Added an IP68 (waterproof) large toolbox to the boat.
Spare Prop - Added a spare-propeller holder to the boat.
Hatch latches - Upgraded the cockpit lazarette's to locking latches.
Bottom Paint - Redid bottom paint on the boat.
Yamaha - 500 hour engine maintenance performed.
Chartplotter - Upgraded charts to include SE Alaska.

Not on my boat... But I did these upgrades as well on a 2022 RT27-OB.
* 320ah LFP Upgrade - Converted from AGM to LiFePo4.
* 400 watt solar upgrade - Upgraded from 160 watt to 400 watts of solar. (2x200 watts)
* Webasto bluetooth controller upgrade.
* Smartplug upgrade for shorepower plug and cable.
Click to expand...

Martin, how was the temp probe install on the hot water tank done?
 
dbsea":3ijxmv2g said:
What projects do folks have planned for the winter / off-season? I went pretty hardcore with projects in the first year of the boat, so I don't have all that much but here's my list:

must do:
-replace shower hardware (mixer is failing) with higher quality Grohe hardware
-clean shower sump box
-flush / clean holding tank
-flush / clean freshwater tank
-clean salon upholstery
-install engine compartment remote temp sensor
-tweak Bimini frame to get better rigidity on 3/4 enclosure
-sewing repairs on canvas for side / aft cockpit seats
-clean/polish/remove scratches on 3/4 enclosure
-routine connector/bolt/screw tightness check

might do:
-add additional solar on bimini to complement 200w existing panel (3 145w panels and charge controller upgrade)
-add indoor AP to Peplink system for better inside coverage
-replace forward bilge thru-hull (chrome trim piece went missing)
-webasto remote temp sensor in salon
-webasto digital control for heater

I'm sure there are other things that will come up along the way...
Click to expand...

Since I started this thread, probably due for an update!

Done:
-add indoor AP to Peplink system for better inside coverage
-replace shower hardware (mixer is failing) with higher quality Grohe hardware
-REPLACED shower sump box with IC Gulley automated grey water pump (directly overboard)
-flush / clean holding tank
-flush / clean freshwater tank
-clean salon upholstery
-install engine compartment remote temp sensor
-tweak Bimini frame to get better rigidity on 3/4 enclosure
-sewing repairs on canvas for side / aft cockpit seats
-clean/polish/remove scratches on 3/4 enclosure
-routine connector/bolt/screw tightness check
-added 250VA victron inverter to flybridge and installed StarLink
-spring maintenance (oil, filters, etc.)

Will do in the fall:
-New 3/4 enclosure for flybridge
-additional 200w solar panel on bimini top of new enclosure
-webasto remote temp sensor in salon
 
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